AdviseMI Begins Training for College Advisers Across Michigan

Training program prepares advisers to help students navigate college-going process

July 23, 2018 - LANSING, Mich. – AdviseMI, an initiative through the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has begun its annual four-week training program for high school advisers on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. Once trained, 56 recent college graduates will serve as postsecondary education advisers in 70 schools across Michigan, with a special focus on schools where a lower percentage of students attend college.

This advanced training, in partnership with the MSU College Advising Corps, is designed to prepare the new advisers to begin working this fall at their assigned schools to assist more Michigan students to pursue education beyond high school. This is the fourth year of the AdviseMI program.

“AdviseMI provides important college access resources to more than 20,000 students and their families,” said Brandy Johnson, executive director of MCAN. “We want to change the conversation to ensure all students know, regardless of their zip code, they are college material. As recent college graduates themselves, our advisers can help students as near-peers and play a role in driving that message home to students.”

AdviseMI recently received the Outstanding National Service Award at the 2018 Governor’s Service Award ceremony. The Outstanding National Service Award is awarded to programs that make an impact in communities and successfully support their service members.

“We appreciate Gov. Snyder recognizing the efforts of AdviseMI and know we still have our work cut out for us. We want students to understand they are college material,” said Melissa Steward, director of AdviseMI. “Our training is comprehensive and intense. We bring college access experts from across the state and country to discuss financial aid programs, how to work with special populations and the best way to navigate obstacles that students might find in their path to furthering their education.”

These experts will range from high school counselors to financial aid representatives to national organizations such as the College Board and uAspire. In addition to attending the formal sessions, college advisers will tour college campuses and meet with financial aid and admissions staff.

Once they complete their training, some of the advisers will split their time between two high schools, allowing 56 college advisers to serve 70 high schools across the state. To learn more about AdviseMI, go here.

As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to increase Michigan’s college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college going students, and students of color. For the seventh year in a row, Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate has increased — from 35.7 percent of 25-to-64-year-olds possessing at least an associate degree in 2008, to 39.4 percent in 2016. Additionally, it is estimated another 4 percent of Michiganders have a high-quality certificate, bringing Michigan’s official attainment rate to 43.7 percent. It is MCAN’s goal to increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60 percent by the year 2025. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.